CHARLOTTE — During the 21st Eucharistic Congress at the Charlotte Convention Center, people lip-synced the lyrics of Matt Maher, listened to Bishop Michael Martin’s homilies, and heard inspirational Catholic talks, but during their downtime, they flocked to learn more about the one saint who was on everyone’s mind - Carlo Acutis.
Saint Carlo Acutis, canonized on Sept. 7 at just 15 years old, created a website that compiled Eucharist miracles from around the world to showcase the magnificent power of Christ’s Body and Blood.
Thousands of Charlotte Congress participants encountered his life’s work in “The Eucharistic Miracles of the World,” an exhibit in both English and Spanish displayed in Concourse C.
A documentary called “Carlo Acutis, a Roadmap to Reality,” played three times, once Friday night and on again on Saturday in both English and Spanish to standing-room only crowds.
People in the diocese continue to be amazed by the spirituality and devotion of the young computer programmer.
Tracy and Cindi Neumann, who attend St. Therese in Mooresville, make the Eucharistic Congress a “main event” on their yearly schedule.
They steadily made their way through the exhibit, reading each miracle St. Acutis reported from tri-fold posters that ran around 100 feet down the hallway.
“Even within Catholics, there are so many people that don’t truly believe in the real presence of the Body and Blood,” Tracy Neumann said. “By showing the different miracles, maybe people will change where they are at and understand the Church more.”
Cindi Neumann, who went to Eucharistic Adoration on both Friday and Saturday, is continually amazed at God’s power through the Eucharist.
“There were thousands of people in Adoration, lots of kids, yet the only thing you could hear was the hum of silence. Very powerful,” noted Cindi.
Cindi recalled, “Carlo Acutis was baffled how people could line up for hours to go to a concert. Why not the Eucharist? If they ever truly knew, they wouldn't have to go to Jerusalem. They would just have to go to their church to be with Jesus. It's truly amazing! Jesus is in me.”
— Catholic News Herald
